gengberg January 24th, 2007
The steelhead and brown trout fishing on Lake Michigan and its tributaries is open year-round to the first dam or lake upstream. There are a few exceptions to this regulation, but you should check your 2006-2007 Trout Regulations to make sure that the waters you are fishing are open. Continue Reading »
gengberg January 21st, 2007
Coyote and predator hunting is gaining in popularity every year in the Badger state. Coyote numbers and their range have continued to expand despite man’s continued development and encroachment. The ability of coyotes to live close to man and adapt to changing conditions has allowed this predator to survive, grow, and even thrive. Continue Reading »
gengberg January 21st, 2007
River Currents
The weather “Gods” gave the Sauk-Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce just what they needed to make the 20th Bald Eagle Watching Days a success. Though, Sunday’s snow storm kept the number of eagle enthusiasts down, Saturday was as nice a day as anyone could want if they came to the area to view the majestic and magnificent bald eagle. Continue Reading »
gengberg January 15th, 2007
If you get bored this winter and are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, why not try fishing Wisconsin’s Lake Columbia. Lake Columbia is a 500 acre cooling reservoir associated with the Columbia Electric Generating Station near Portage, Wisconsin. The lake is less than an hour’s drive north of Madison between Interstate 90/94 and Highway 51 and just off Highway V. Here’s a little background on the lake. Lake Columbia was first flooded in 1975 and receives all its pumped water from the Wisconsin River, which replaces the water lost from evaporation and seepage through its surrounding dikes. It also helps lower the waters temperature prior to re-entering the power plant. The waters high temperature makes the lake a very harsh environment for fish especially during the first few years when they are too small to feed on the abundant gizzard shad population. The water in Lake Columbia can vary from 50 degrees when the turbines are turned off to almost 100 degrees in peak periods. I find it amazing that many fish live and grow in this man-made “hot-tub! Continue Reading »
gengberg January 15th, 2007
River Currents Badger Sportsman
Finally, it looks like we may be getting some “normal” winter weather in Wisconsin. This is the first time since December, that as I write my column, there’s snow covering the ground. I may be one of the few people left who isn’t totally convinced of global warming. I don’t have an answer to the many changes and extremes that we seem to be facing in the weather and outdoors. But, there is no doubt that “something” is happening to our weather with a decade of above normal temperatures and lack of measurable snow in many locations. Being an ex-school teacher (history), I know that events are cyclical or repeat themselves over a long period of time. If you go back in weather history, you can see that there were periods in the early 1900’s where there were extended periods of mild weather. El Nino may be the cause of much of the warm and unusual weather we’ve been experiencing, but there is something else that is affecting us long-term. Continue Reading »
gengberg January 15th, 2007
River Currents
This is the first time since the beginning of December that I can look out my window while I write and see snow on the ground. There also is the prospect this coming week of some “winter-like” temperatures which should bring us back to the reality of winter. Ice anglers should get some weather that freezes the lakes back up and hopefully get a month or two of ice fishing in before spring arrives. Continue Reading »
gengberg January 12th, 2007
By the time that January comes around, there is little left to hunt except the cottontail rabbit. Most of us have spent the fall and early winter hunting deer, pheasants, ducks, grouse, and geese but few hunters take advantage of the latest hunting season in Wisconsin. The late hunting season that I’m writing about is rabbit hunting which is open in Wisconsin till the 28th of February. Most other hunting seasons have closed at the end of December or January, but not the bunny season. Continue Reading »
gengberg January 12th, 2007
SAT., FEB 24, 2007 - 9:15 PM
Outdoors: Dare to see some eagles? Now’s the time
GARY ENGBERG For the State Journal
If you have not had the opportunity to see a bald eagle up close, now is one of the best times to view this magnificent bird.
The frigid weather that Wisconsin has been experiencing the past month has frozen most of the Lower Wisconsin River - especially from the Highway 12 bridge in Sauk City to the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien. The last time that this happened was the winter of 1996.
That means the birds, seeking their main food source (gizzard shad), are now concentrated in a relatively small area where the water is still open and flowing.
So, bring your binoculars and cameras to Sauk Prairie. It’s possible to park in the Alliant Power parking lot directly below the Prairie du Sac Dam and have eagles roosting in trees directly above your vehicle. The Ferry Bluff Eagle Council also has a viewing station with viewing scopes in downtown Prairie du Sac. The best time for seeing eagles is early and late in the day when the birds are active and feeding.
Here’s a tip: Remember to stay in your cars or trucks so that you don’t spook the roosting birds. Doing so would blow a viewing opportunity, but more importantly, it makes the eagle expend energy needed for winter survival.
A midweek visit will likely find less competition for viewing locations.
Do yourself a favor and take advantage of this particularly great occasion to take children to see one of natures true wonders that few people ever have the opportunity to see up close and personal.
For more information, contact the Sauk Prairie Chamber of Commerce at saukprairie@verizon.net or the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council at eagles@ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org.
Gary at a live remote hosting his weekly radio show Outdoor Horizons on 1670 WTDY Madison. You can listen every Saturday from 8:00 am - 8:30 am.
Also, make sure to listen in to Gary's weekly tips.